Meet the Team

Annette EvansManager / EducatorAs manager/educator, Annette's role is it put into practice the strategic direction set by the Board of Trustees. A large part of the job involves personal education sessions, community education and raising awareness especially at expos and other events. Annette is married to Ralph and has a high school aged daughter by adoption.Why Annette joined us:"It gives me immense satisfaction to be able to translate dry research reports into accessible information to empower women. Endometriosis is such a complex and challenging condition, but every day we are learning a bit more about it, which can help women improve quality of life. It saddens me that so many women struggle for so long undiagnosed and misunderstood - especially impacts on relationships, work, study and OE. Many women appreciate being able to chat with someone with personal experience of endometriosis.​We work hard to vastly improve outcomes for women of all ages and backgrounds".

Deborah DodunskiVolunteer Co-ordinator & AdministratorDeborah is married to Maurice and has two wonderful children. In 2010 Annette approached Deborah to see if she would like to become the part-time Volunteer Co-ordinator / Administrator; a brand new role for the organisation. She started on a voluntary basis and then in July 2010 became a paid staff member also. Deborah has worked in a variety of areas from retail, through to office management, as well as numerous volunteer roles over the past 20+ years.Why Deborah joined us:"I have a passion for helping others and have gained a variety of skills and knowledge during my time at Insight Endometriosis. I believe that everyone has the right to be supported and educated the best they can be when it comes to their health; so I really enjoy working with our volunteers, members, other agencies and also supporting Annette where needed".

Silvia ClarkeTeam Leader of the Support Group Co-ordinators (volunteer position)I'm married to Terence and have an 11 year old daughter called Rhiana. I was diagnosed with Endometriosis in my mid 20's. I have been through a lot with this horrible disease including infertility. Finally after two IVF rounds we became parents to our beautiful girl. I met Annette at an information evening about Endometriosis many years ago and have been involved with Insight Endometriosis for a while starting with poster deliveries.I am the Financial Administrator at Independent Extrusions Ltd, taking care of our Powdercoating and our Anodising Plants. I'm the most important person in the company ... The Payroll Administrator for four Companies, LOL.

Why Silvia joined us:"I decided to become a volunteer for Insight Endometriosis as I can sympathsise with all the other women going through their own journey with this disease. I want to help get the word out about Endometriosis".

Hayley YorkeSupport Group Co-ordinator - Hamilton (mid-week)(volunteer position)I am married to Darryl and have two lovely teenage daughters. I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 1994 and started a support group in Hamilton for Endometriosis in 1999, it was called Endometriosis Waikato back then and has since progressed into Insight Endometriosis under Annette’s careful guidance. After finally overcoming many years of infertility I took a step back from the group only delivering posters, taking support calls and helping a little with the Purple Walk when I could, to concentrate on motherhood but have recently stepped my involvement up a little to become half of the Coffee Group Co-ordinator team.Why Hayley joined us:"I enjoy helping others and supporting people with endometriosis come naturally as I can empathise with them. When I returned to Hamilton to live in 1998 and there was no support here then it seemed natural to get a group started along with the help of some other lovely ladies. I decided the monthly coffee group was the ideal place for me to become a little more involved again as I love to talk and I love coffee!"

Kiriana IsgroveSupport Group Co-ordinator - Hamilton (mid-week)(volunteer position)Kiriana has completed a Master of Science at the University of Waikato, looking at the link between obesity and the cholesterol drug, Simvastatin. This research will better our understanding of how Simvastatin effects the central nervous system, and therefore how to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease more effectively without side effects.

Kiriana says: "Outside of university I love the outdoors. I enjoy camping and tramping, but I live for the beach during the summer. Spending time with friends and family is also a big priority for me. I have three younger siblings who I adore, and I love to get out and do things with them. However recently I have been really busy planning for my wedding in February next year. "

Why Kiriana joined us:"The reason I decided to be a volunteer was because I had been given a tentative diagnosis for endometriosis. I had a few friends who also have endometriosis, so I had heard of it before but didn't know much about it. My diagnosis lead me to learn more about the illness and I found the biology and theories around causation really interesting. In October 2016, I had a laparoscopy, which found no endometriosis, however I am still struggling through the system with an undiagnosed illness with the support of Insight Endometriosis. I wanted to volunteer because even though I do not have endometriosis, I want to be able to offer support to women who may not have support networks because I understand the isolation that can come with these illnesses. When I applied to be a volunteer I didn't really know what to expect, but after my first couple of meetings, I felt completely comfortable with the girls and knew I had made the right decision to become a volunteer. I fill two roles, I am the co-ordinator of the monthly support group with Hayley and I have recently taken on the role as young women's co-ordinator. I really love Insight Endometriosis as an organisation and can see all of the hard work and devotion that has been put into making it what it is today. Because of this I am excited for the challenges both of these positions will come with and the new relationships I will gain."

Dianne McLeanThames Support Group Co-ordinator (Volunteer position)I am a mother of four and also a grandmother of four. I work as a tertiary-level tutor, which I really enjoy. I love teaching adults, not only is it rewarding, but I learn so much from my students as well.My hobbies include playing the ukelele, painting, sculpting, reading and writing.Although, I myself don’t have endometriosis, a close family member does and I have supported her through her journey.Why Dianne joined us:"I joined as a volunteer because I enjoy facilitating groups and supporting others".

May Low - ChairAppointed to the Board of Trustees in 2014May is the Operations Manager at Kiwi Innovation Network located at the University of Waikato. She manages the company's PreSeed portfolio and Investment Committee to help grow economic return for NZ from publicly funded research and innovation. May is passionate about developing stronger communities and also serves on a number of other charities. May is also a Chartered Accountant, graduating from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and Commercial Law and a Bachelor of Science specialising in Logic and Computation.

Why May joined the Board:“I have a real passion for not for profits, especially those that help grow stronger, more robust communities – so it was a real honour to be approached to join the Insight Endometriosis Board. To be a part of a team that has such enthusiastic staff and volunteers is a real privilege and I hope to contribute and to learn from this experience”.

Annette Evans - Manager / EducatorAppointed to the Board April 2007Annette is currently employed by Insight Endometriosis in the role of Manager / Educator. Prior to that, she was employed for 9 years as Administration Manager for the innovative Dairy Goat Co-operative (NZ) Ltd. DGC enjoyed extremely rapid growth and Annette was responsible for the accounting and administration functions as well as development of business processes, systems and software applications and their implementation. In 2013 Annette completed a Graduate Diploma in Not-for-Profit Management through Unitec, having previously completed a.Management Studies degree majoring in Accounting and Management. She is currently serving a third 3-year term on the Hamilton/Kirikiriroa COGS committee, is Treasurer for a local arts-based organisation, and completes accounts for other charities under contract. Annette has personal experience of endometriosis.Why Annette joined the Board:"I have been involved with the organisation through its transition to a Charitable Trust. It gives immense satisfaction to not only see the improvement in women’s lives but also be involved in the growth and development of an organisation which provides leadership and support to the local endometriosis community".

Emma Leaver - TreasurerAppointed to Board of Trustees in July 2017

Emma is a Chartered Accountant and works for a small accountancy firm in Hamilton. Emma studied at WINTEC graduating with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Accounting.

Why Emma joined the Board:"Having been diagnosed with endometriosis in 2010 I am passionate to see Insight Endometriosis thrive. Joining the Board seemed like the perfect way to give back to the organisation that has helped me, and the community it serves."

Koratika Kabwea - TrusteeAppointed to Board of Trustees September 2012Kora works as a Nurse at K'aute Pasifika Trust, a Pacific Island initiative Charitable Trust formed in 1999.

Why Kora joined the Board:"Mauri. I am a registered Nurse and have been in nursing now for over 25 years, primarily working in Pacific health. I value the opportunity to work with Insight Endometriosis at Board Level because it allows me another way to support women in the Waikato. I believe women’s health issues; especially gynaecological and menstrual are often overlooked and misunderstood. This is a particularly sensitive area and one very difficult to discuss and therefore find help for in the Pacific community and I want to be here to support and provide information, care and guidance."